As snow still falls in mid-April, Wisconsin ski and snowboard park re-opens, staffer says, 'I've learned never to say never,' about weather. Minnesota ski resort sees 'busiest April in decades.'

4/14/13, "Winter Resorts Make Up For Earlier Season Loses," kstp.com, K. Johnson

"There's nothing like gearing up for your last day on the slopes - in the middle of April.

"It was a natural thing for us to want more and we knew the same thing could be said for our customers," said David Sutton with Trollhaugen in Dresser, Wis.

With snow falling for days in the metro, Trollhaugen's ski and snowboard area reopened this weekend.

"How can you not be open for this? It's a little blustery today, but still perfect skiing and snowboarding weather," said Sutton.

With a late start to the season, the ski area could use a few extra days to make up for dry December losses. But reopening after its closure April 1 is more about the passion than the payback.

"We didn't go into the weekend thinking on we're going to make a bunch of money. It was just really about having people have a good time," said Sutton.

"We were really expected to be done weeks ago, but all of a sudden, spring just didn't come," said skier Kolya Kvas.

Kvas and his best friends, twins Joe and Ellie McNairy, had packed up their gear thinking April 1 was their last day on the slopes together before they leave for college.

"For a bunch of snowboarders and skiers this is pretty much heaven," said Kvas.

"You see dads with their little ones bringing them out for either the first time or one last time," said Sutton.

And this may not be it, either. Staff members are looking at keeping the slopes open next weekend as well.

"I've learned to never say never. You just don't know what can happen," said Sutton.

We also checked with Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior in Minnesota. Company staff said this is the busiest April they've had in decades.
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They're booked this weekend, and they still don't have a closing date set." 



 





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